Posted on November, 07 2014

After 200 years wild bison have returned to Romania. A partnership between the WWF and Rewilding Europe brought 20 bison to the Southern Carpathians, with more to come. The bison became extinct in the wild in the early 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss. Increasing the numbers of European bison is important for the survival of the species and biodiversity reasons: Bison are a keystone species in European ecosystems, with an important role for grazing and as prey for larger carnivores such as bears. They are also expected to be a regional tourism attraction, benefiting the local community. Working with local communities, forest services and tourism bodies, the aim is to build a herd of 500 bison in five populations in other areas across Europe by 2025.  

Original article dated: 19.05.2014